Weigh in on Xcel's Updated Integrated Resource Plan
On June 25, 2021, Xcel Energy filed an alternate Integrated Resource Plan with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) that removed a large new gas power plant in Becker, Minnesota, and added significant renewable energy. These changes that were advocated for by Fresh Energy and partners, along with hundreds Xcel Energy customers from around the state who participated in the comment period, reflected a welcome and necessary realignment with climate action and Xcel’s promise to achieve a carbon-free electricity system by 2050. However, there is still more to be done to ensure this plan is forward-thinking, cost-effective, and good for Xcel Energy customers and Minnesota's climate goals.
However, there is still more to be done to ensure this plan is forward-thinking, cost-effective, and good for Xcel Energy customers and Minnesota's climate goals.
Xcel's alternate plan proposes two new smaller peaking gas power plants (also known as peaker plants) to be built in the late 2020s that would run only occasionally. However, the research and analysis done by Fresh Energy, Union of Concerned Scientists, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, and Clean Grid Alliance, demonstrates that building new fossil gas electricity generation has major climate risks and that there are viable, non-fossil fuel options that must be explored.
Join us in asking the PUC to encourage Xcel to strongly consider all alternatives to new fossil fuel infrastructure like these peaker plants. New gas plants would emit millions of tons of new greenhouse gases, thereby contributing to the climate crisis and further undermining Minnesota’s ability to reach its emission reduction goals. Investing hundreds of millions of customer dollars into constructing, maintaining, and fueling last century’s technology doesn’t make sense.
Join us in encouraging Xcel to ensure that investments in its programs equitably reach under-resourced customers and making the planning process more inclusive. Xcel should continue to make sure that its investments in energy efficiency and other customer-facing programs equitably reach under-resourced customers and rental properties, and also implement a planning process that is more transparent and inclusive for customers who haven't traditionally engaged in the past—including historically marginalized communities and under-resourced individuals and groups.
Need more info? Take a deeper dive into the details of Xcel's IRP and the in-depth analysis done by Fresh Energy and partners.
If you’re an Xcel customer, we urge you to speak up using the box to the right! Feel free to edit and customize the email text to best fit your concerns.
Use the social media icons below to share this opportunity with others!
Weigh in on Xcel's Updated Integrated Resource Plan
On June 25, 2021, Xcel Energy filed an alternate Integrated Resource Plan with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) that removed a large new gas power plant in Becker, Minnesota, and added significant renewable energy. These changes that were advocated for by Fresh Energy and partners, along with hundreds Xcel Energy customers from around the state who participated in the comment period, reflected a welcome and necessary realignment with climate action and Xcel’s promise to achieve a carbon-free electricity system by 2050. However, there is still more to be done to ensure this plan is forward-thinking, cost-effective, and good for Xcel Energy customers and Minnesota's climate goals.
However, there is still more to be done to ensure this plan is forward-thinking, cost-effective, and good for Xcel Energy customers and Minnesota's climate goals.
Xcel's alternate plan proposes two new smaller peaking gas power plants (also known as peaker plants) to be built in the late 2020s that would run only occasionally. However, the research and analysis done by Fresh Energy, Union of Concerned Scientists, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, and Clean Grid Alliance, demonstrates that building new fossil gas electricity generation has major climate risks and that there are viable, non-fossil fuel options that must be explored.
Join us in asking the PUC to encourage Xcel to strongly consider all alternatives to new fossil fuel infrastructure like these peaker plants. New gas plants would emit millions of tons of new greenhouse gases, thereby contributing to the climate crisis and further undermining Minnesota’s ability to reach its emission reduction goals. Investing hundreds of millions of customer dollars into constructing, maintaining, and fueling last century’s technology doesn’t make sense.
Join us in encouraging Xcel to ensure that investments in its programs equitably reach under-resourced customers and making the planning process more inclusive. Xcel should continue to make sure that its investments in energy efficiency and other customer-facing programs equitably reach under-resourced customers and rental properties, and also implement a planning process that is more transparent and inclusive for customers who haven't traditionally engaged in the past—including historically marginalized communities and under-resourced individuals and groups.
Need more info? Take a deeper dive into the details of Xcel's IRP and the in-depth analysis done by Fresh Energy and partners.
If you’re an Xcel customer, we urge you to speak up using the box to the right! Feel free to edit and customize the email text to best fit your concerns.
Use the social media icons below to share this opportunity with others!